Start · Stops 1–2
Rose Bay & the eastern bays
Safety briefing and driving lesson at Rose Bay, then cast off past the seaplanes, Hermit Bay’s waterfront estates, Shark Island and Bradley’s Head.
Self Drive Boat Sydney Harbour | Highlights Tour | 2 hour
Sale!
Self Drive Boat Sydney Harbour | Highlights Tour | 2 hour
Sydney Harbour · Rose Bay · 2 hours
Be your own captain on Sydney Harbour! Drive your own iconic red speedboat with no licence required, following a guide past the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and luxury bays.
- Self-drive, no licence
- 2 hours, guided
- Opera House & Bridge
- Free photos
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From (AUD)
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$145.00
Current price is: $145.00.
About the tour
Want to explore Sydney Harbour on your own terms without paying a fortune or getting stuck on a slow, crowded tour boat? 🚤💨
The Self-Drive Sydney Harbour Speedboat Tour is the ultimate adventure for travelers and solo backpackers who want total freedom on the water. You are at the helm of your very own iconic little red speedboat—no boat license required!
Drive your own boat following a friendly on-water guide who leads the way along a curated route. In just 2 hours, you’ll cruise right under the Harbour Bridge, circle the Sydney Opera House, weave past massive warships at Garden Island, and glide by the million-dollar mansions of Point Piper and Mosman.
Controls are super simple—just a steering wheel and throttle! Plus, you don’t even need to worry about snapping photos while driving: your guide captures epic photos of you on the water and sends them to you after the tour, 100% free of charge. 📸🇦🇺
Highlights
- Drive right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Circle alongside the sails of the Sydney Opera House
- Navy warships at Garden Island
- Millionaires’ Row: the mansions of Point Piper and Mosman
- Admiralty House and Kirribilli House from the water
- Free photos of you on the water, taken by your guide and sent after the tour
- Simple controls: just a steering wheel and throttle
Included
- Your own red self-drive speedboat (2 people per boat)
- Safety briefing and driving lesson
- A friendly on-water guide leading the route
- Photos of you on the water, sent after the tour, 100% free
- Free parking at Rose Bay
👫 Book 2 people to be guaranteed the same boat. Booking as 1 person, you may share a boat with another guest.
What to bring
- Casual clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet from some spray
- Sunscreen and a tight-fitting hat
- A full water bottle
The route
Stops 3–5
Coves, Kirribilli & the Bridge
Athol Bay and Mosman Bay, Cremorne Point, Admiralty House and Kirribilli House, then straight under the Harbour Bridge, past Luna Park and around the Opera House.
Stop 6 · Finish
Warships & Millionaires’ Row
Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the Navy warships at Garden Island and the mansions of Double Bay and Point Piper, then back to Rose Bay to finish the 2-hour loop.
Schedule: 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM & 3:15 PM (choose your time when you book) · 2 hours, guided · Meet at Rose Bay West Boat Ramp, Lyne Park, Rose Bay NSW 2029 (free parking; 10 min ferry from Circular Quay, walk 30 m right off the wharf) · Max 6 guests, 2 per boat · No boat licence required · Company: Explore Sydney Harbour
Stop-by-stop details
Start: Rose Bay Launch Pad ⚓
Meet at Rose Bay West Boat Ramp for a quick safety briefing and driving lesson. Cast off in your red speedboat and take the helm as your own captain!
Stop 1: Seaplanes & Exclusive Eastern Bays (Hermit Bay & Vaucluse) 🏝️
Cruise past floating seaplanes at Rose Bay, then weave through the calm waters of Hermit Bay to admire multi-million dollar waterfront estates and secluded headlands.
Stop 2: Historic Islands & Scenic Headlands (Shark Island & Bradley’s Head) 🛡️
Pass historic sandstone islands and rugged headlands featuring 19th-century military fortifications and the HMAS Sydney memorial.
Stop 3: Bushland Coves & Whaling History (Athol Bay & Mosman Bay) 🌿
Glide through deep, sheltered coves backed by Taronga Zoo and Sydney Harbour National Park before cruising past Mosman’s historic bay and luxury yachts.
Stop 4: Iconic Skyline Views & Government Mansions (Cremorne & Kirribilli) 🏰
Enjoy postcard views from Cremorne Point and get a rare, up-close water perspective of Admiralty House and Kirribilli House (the Prime Minister’s residence).
Stop 5: The Grand Finale — Harbour Bridge, Luna Park & Opera House 🏙️
Drive directly beneath the giant steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Pass Luna Park’s famous face, weave into Lavender Bay, and circle right alongside the soaring sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Stop 6: Navy Warships & Millionaires’ Row (Garden Island, Double Bay & Point Piper) 🚢
Pass historical Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, pull up alongside Royal Australian Navy warships at Garden Island, and cruise past the jaw-dropping mansions of Australia’s most expensive suburb in Point Piper.
Finish: Return to Rose Bay 🏙️
Pull back into Rose Bay West Boat Ramp to wrap up your 2-hour loop with 19 epic harbour landmarks crossed off your list!
FAQs
Rose Bay West Boat Ramp, Lyne Park, Rose Bay NSW 2029. Free parking on site. The ferry from Circular Quay takes 10 minutes; walk 30 m right off the wharf.
Max 6 guests per tour. Each boat holds 2 people. Small, personal, never a crowd.
No boat licence is required. There is a full safety and driving briefing before every tour. If you can drive a car, you can drive our speedboat.
Both passengers can take the wheel — swap halfway and experience it from both seats.
Priced per person (see the current price at the top of this page). Two people per boat. Groups of up to 6 guests can book multiple boats.
- Casual clothes and shoes that you are comfortable getting wet from some spray
- Sunscreen and a tight-fitting hat are recommended
- Full water bottle
Tours run at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:15 PM. Choose your time when you book.
Why book with Summer Travel?
- Over 15,000 customers
- 5 star Google reviews
- Free service
- No booking fees
Questions? WhatsApp +61 420 311 866 · info@summertravel.com.au
